The best bookstores in Chicago

Chicago's first employee-owned and operated independent bookstore as of 2020, Pilsen Community Books invites you in with wall-to-wall shelves of books of all genres. Emphasizing the “community” in their name, the shop offers two subscription book programs, reading clubs, book talks and other events, and a neighborhood youth literacy program called Pilsen Reads. While it's a bookstore ideal for in-person browsing, their website also has wonderfully-curated lists and staff picks to give you that feeling of discovery from home. 

This legendary used bookstore, one of Chicago's oldest and largest, stocks three floors' worth of books from floor to ceiling. Ask the friendly staff for recommendations, or choose your own adventure and wander the labyrinthine stacks to find your new favorite. 

Wicker Park’s Perpetual Books lives up to its mission of sourcing “unusual and exceptional” titles for the eccentric reader. The shop balances a sharp selection of fiction and poetry with a deep archive of vintage magazines and used vinyl records. Beyond the browsing, their steady rotation of book clubs and pop-up events makes it a true neighborhood staple.

Chicago history is everywhere in this bookstore, from its location on the second floor of the 125-year-old Fine Arts Building to its name, taken from the iconic album by local legend Liz Phair. While the selection is vast and the stacks easy to get lost in, the highlight, as the name implies, is definitely the well-stocked music selection. Don’t miss the shop’s engaging “Authors on Tap” series, which highlights local lit luminaries like poet José Olivarez, novelist Lindsay Hunter and even Jeff Tweedy.

Handwritten, personal recommendations from employees line the shelves at Unabridged Bookstore, offering helpful, heartfelt tips for customers. The Lakeview shop is known for its extensive children's section but also stocks a diverse selection of literary fiction and nonfiction for more advanced readers.

Chicago's legendary feminist bookstore has been serving Andersonville and beyond since 1979, and while their selections of feminist and queer literature are excellent, you can find current and curated picks across all genres, as well as some fun bundles and subscriptions. An important community and literary hub, WCF supports local schools and groups like Chicago Books to Women in Prison, and hosts both in-person and virtual events, including outdoor storytime in the summer. Get connected with fellow bookworms through a number of book groups, including “Kids First,” “Well Read Black Girl” and “Classics of Women's Literature.”

Open Books isn’t your average bookstore. Opened in 2009, the shop is an outgrowth of the Open Books nonprofit, with a location at the Literacenter as well as Pilsen and Logan Square. More than 50,000 books—mostly used and donated, with some recent new titles—are housed in rows of wooden shelves painted in bright, cheerful colors. Open Books offers plenty of snug reading nooks for curling up with new finds and a dedicated children's and young adult section. Go ahead, buy a handful. All proceeds at the West Loop, Logan Square and North Lawndale locations go to literacy programs in the city, and the Pilsen location offers free books for kids and pay-what-you-can books for adults. 

Wicker Park's Quimby's Comics is a zinester's paradise, with a vast selection of new DIY and small-press zines and a club celebrating them. Even if you're not into zines, there's something fun for you here amidst the comics, graphic novels, books and other weird, wonderful and thought-provoking art and text. 

Call & Response is Hyde Park’s Black women-owned bookstore focusing on works by writers of color. For readers craving representation and intentionally-curated shelves, owner Courtney Bledsoe’s vision doesn’t disappoint. Between the aptly-selected wall of Toni Morrison quotes that greets shoppers at the entrance, the welcoming reading areas and the personalized recommendations from the staff and owner herself, you’ll wonder why you ever shopped anywhere else. Call & Response also hosts silent reading nights, author talks with writers like Hanif Abdurraqib, and other community-focused events empowering voices of Black creators and authors.

Months after announcing its closure due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Logan Square's beloved indie bookstore reopened in the summer of 2021 under the stewardship of local resident and former librarian Stephanie Kitchen. Curl up by the fireplace (yes, a fireplace) with a curated staff pick from this “book lover's bookstore,” or make a new friend through the shop's eclectic book clubs, like the horror-themed “Blood & Guts,” the queer “On Earth We're Briefly Gay” or the long-running “Weird & Wonderful,” a celebration of sci-fi, fantasy and speculative fiction.

From the floor-to-ceiling shelves to the chic café space to the selection itself, Andersonville’s newest bookstore is giving us drama. A theatre-focused bookshop celebrating the creative process, The Understudy houses more than 3,500 plays, books on technique, titles from local authors and more. Beyond the inventory or the opportunity to talk casting rumors over Metric coffee, the shop’s community-centric programming is a theatre nerd’s dream, from exciting new plays to staged readings to drag shows. 

A passionate reader and member of the community known as “romancelandia,” Amanda Anderson opened The Last Chapter in Roscoe Village in September of 2023. Romance lovers can pick up titles by popular authors like Sarah J. Maas and Jasmine Guillory, or browse by genre (sports, holiday, etc.), along with sections highlighting LGBTQ+ and BIPOC love stories. Before you leave, snap a selfie in one of the ‘gram-worthy photo booths, and even share the name of the fictional character you’re not-so-secretly pining for. 

Far-north Edgebrook is home to the brick-and-mortar of one of Chicagoland’s most unique bookstore experiences, which offers a more tailored take on searching for that perfect literary match. Founded by two teachers passionate about building relationships and fostering a love of literature, New Book Joy offers recommendations and reading resources for not just adult readers, but for kids, teens and families to enjoy together. The colorful shelves are fun to browse, but what sets New Book Joy apart is the focus on curation, from tailored boxes for readers of all ages to their popular “Book Club Tastings,” where discussions are paired with a grown-up event like a cooking demo or cocktail class. 

Avid book lover and former media sales mogul Erika VanDam had always dreamed of opening a bookstore. Her dream came to life when she opened her Roscoe Village shop, a haven for all local bookworms. Step into the store and it's easy to sense the passion in the air, with details like handwritten "staff favorite" notes and a large variety of community events. The shop offers books of all genres—fiction, nonfiction, cookbooks, parenting, biographies, memoirs and more—but its children's section, with a dreamy hand-painted mural, is what you'll want to write home about. 

When it comes to bookstores, this place defines class. Not only can you browse books while sipping wine, but the staff recommendations are just what you want them to be: Varied and idiosyncratic. Attend events ranging from engaging talks with up-and-coming local authors to reading and yoga sessions, or build community with one of the shop's many book clubs, including the Racial Justice Book Club and “Never Too Old,” a YA reading club for adults.

Tangible Books is one of those Chicago bookstores that rewards wandering in without a plan. Located in Bridgeport, the shop offers an expansive selection of fiction, nonfiction and memoirs, with shelves piled high with used titles. Beyond the books, Tangible doubles as a community hub, hosting author events, concerts and even yoga sessions. In a city that holds its indie bookstores dear, Tangible earns its place by keeping things personal—and, fittingly, tangible.

This laid-back Andersonville bookshop is chock full of used books, from newly released literature to nonfiction favorites. Give yourself ample time to peruse the shelves, or start your journey with their easy-to-use online rare book catalogue, whose categories range from adventure and travel to conspiracies to Disney. Ramona, the shop dog and goodest girl, is an added bonus.

This cozy, women-owned West Loop bookstore packs a punch: Floor-to-ceiling shelves of classics, recent releases and hard-to-find small press titles are a dream come true for any book lover, and the robust events calendar offers in-person gatherings for all types of readers. Though owner Mary Mollman’s grand opening was just before the 2020 pandemic, her loyal customers ensured she made it through. From author talks to writer’s workshops and “low commitment” book clubs, Madison Street Books is a place to get your favorite reads and make like-minded connections.

After noticing a lack of access to stories by and for Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders (AANHPI), Restoried Bookshop owner Justin Valas was determined to make them more readily available. In late 2024, Valas opened the first of its kind in Chicago in Albany Park. Apart from featuring books about the AANHPI experience, the shop aims to create a familial atmosphere where you’ll feel at home. Cozy up in the living room-esque seating area for reading and relaxing.

Named for a distinctive plant native to the Chicago area, Avondale’s newest bookshop, fittingly, focuses on “new books and local artists’ goods that remind us of human’s own place in our more-than-human world.” As much an intentional community space as a bookstore, Skunk Cabbage hosts workshops and skill-share evenings focused on topics like creative reuse and accessible sustainability, along with other activities like book clubs, bird trivia and a regular Covid-Conscious Craft Club.

When the owners of Three Avenues Bookshop say the store is “family run,” they mean it—owners Tim Wurman and Jordan Felkey are life partners, co-parents, and now, business partners. Since November 2022, this West Lakeview shop has been serving neighbors with an inviting space and an extensive selection, especially for children’s literature. But readers of all ages are welcome at Three Avenues, especially for events like live jazz concerts, storytimes and author talks. 

This Hyde Park landmark is a great place to buy based on the employee selections and to check out some more intellectual fare. Many readings here fall into the academic/nonfiction category, though the shop often features authors who have written about local history.

Located in the South Loop, this family-owned-and-operated book shop has been in business since 1982. Step into the brick building and you'll find shelves filled with new releases, travel guides and books to keep you occupied on your train ride home.

Los Amigos Books owner Laura Rodríguez-Romaní is mission driven. From growing up bilingual and as an educator, she understands the importance of language. Her store serves to provide Chicagoans a top-notch selection for bilingual readers of all ages, and in particular children and young adults, all carefully curated from domestic and international publishers from around Latin America and Spain. The store also prioritizes books, music and games written and created by Latiné and Hispanic authors, like Chicago’s own Erika L. Sanchez. Most importantly, Los Amigos strives for a world in which children of all backgrounds feel represented—especially Spanish speakers. So bring your little ones for bilingual book browsing, Spanish storytime and cultural celebrations like Day of the Dead. You’ll likely find treasures for yourself, too.

Powell's is known for its selection of scholarly and academic books, but also caters to the everyday general interest reader, adults and children alike–with over a quarter million rare, used, and discounted books.

Founded in 1961 by a group of book lovers, the Seminary Co-op is a community-owned bookstore that specializes in academic titles. For years, the store was based out of the basement of the Chicago Theological Seminary, but in 2012 it moved to its current, above-ground location.

Small but mighty, this shop from the mother-daughter duo of Verlean Singletary and Courtney Woods is committed to literary growth and youth engagement. Formerly housed in the Boxville marketplace in Bronzeville, Da Book Joint teamed up with Stoviink Creatives in late 2024 to open a new literacy, wellness and creative space in South Shore called Pen & Paper. There, you can browse Da Book Joint’s excellent youth and children's book selection centered around Black stories and Black authors as well as shop for candles apparel, beauty products and more.

One of River North's hidden gems, After-Words Bookstore houses two floors (and more than 70,000 titles) of new and used books. The shop features a wide variety of titles, including fiction, poetry, literature, photography, history, cookbooks and plenty more. It also has rental space available for parties, lectures and readings. 

If wandering through colorful stacks of older books and settling in an old rocking chair to read for a while sounds like a good time, this bohemian Rogers Park treasure trove will be your new favorite haunt. Since 1994, the charming shop—which is covered in folk art and other artifacts—has been a local favorite for seekers of rare and used books. 

On the far South Side and need some reading material? Check out this well-stocked Beverly-Morgan Park indie bookstore. Bookie's offers new and used titles, and their online interface makes it even easier to shop local and independent. There are even a few cafe tables out front in the warmer months if you want to take your purchases outside and enjoy them right away.